‘NGO went on spending spree with food money’

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

WHILE revealing new details about the former administration’s food programme, Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis yesterday accused a non-profit organisation of going on “a spending spree” to purchase two high end trucks and boats with public funds meant to provide food assistance to Bahamians during the pandemic.

As he was ending his contribution to the mid-year budget debate yesterday, Mr Davis, who did not name the NGO, said substantial amounts of money along with boats and trucks were recently returned to the government by the organisation in question.

“We have previously brought to the attention of the public, the startling lack of controls surrounding the previous administration’s pandemic food programme,” Mr Davis told the House of Assembly.

“I can now report there have been further developments and I suspect much, much more to come. After the food programme was ended, while other organisations were returning unspent funds to the government, an NGO — I have the name here but I won’t call it — an NGO chose to go on a spending spree while the funds were being returned (to the government).”

The revelation drew shocked expressions and outbursts from government MPs seated in Parliament.

“They have the food money,” the Prime Minister continued. “I call it the food money and people trying to get it back to us and someone had asked me about why I ain’t bring the (pandemic) report yet and this the only reason I’m talking about this, so you understand why the report has not yet come.”

Mr Davis told parliamentarians that it was just a month ago when the NGO’s principal, who he referred to as a man, returned $100,000 in cash and trucks and boats to his administration, all together totaling $400,000.

But the NGO’s principal still had “more to bring,” he added.

“I don’t know whether he brought anything back as yet as I speak today, but this same guy brought back two modified high-end trucks, such as those used to fuel boats, jet skis and other watercraft,” the Prime Minister added.

“And then, it ain’t end there you know. He brought two boats — a speedboat and a barge. They say all together that’s what has been returned so far … and they are looking for some more from this person.”’

Former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis was questioned about the allegations by reporters yesterday; however, he was unable to comment, saying he didn’t know all the details surrounding the claims.

“I am unaware of any matters that he is talking about and we will delve into the matter,” Dr Minnis said.

The Minnis administration created the National Food Distribution Task Force, a public/private partnership, in 2020 to provide emergency food assistance for vulnerable Bahamians and residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The programme has since ended, but came under scrutiny after the Davis administration assumed office in 2021.

 The government claimed they had no record of how money was spent by some NGOs attached to the programme and also alleged that they could not get the information it required despite multiple requests.

 However, former representatives of the now disbanded task force have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and have even disclosed detailed records with the press on the committee’s spending habits since the initiative’s start.

 In Parliament yesterday, Mr Davis also raised alarm about another “highly irregular” case of alleged improper use of funds involving a company that was engaged by the former Minnis administration.

 “For reasons, which remain profoundly unclear, the previous administration appointed a private company, again the name is here, I ain’t call the name, as the sole collector of immigration fees.

 “Of course, this was contrary to the practice since the department was created, whereby fees were paid directly to the government. Under this exclusive contract, every person then had to go to the various offices of this entity to pay for work permits and all other immigration fees in cash.”

 But what was deeply troubling, Mr Davis added, was the fact that the company was not licensed to collect revenue or engage in the provision of financial services.

 “We cannot imagine why the administration chose to enter an agreement with a company which was not licensed to trade in the terms of the contract. To make matters much much worse, they collect the money and they keeping it,” he also said.

 “From the start of this contract to when we stopped the arrangement in 2022, the company is estimated to have collected some $6.4 million. When the government approached them asking them to forward the monies collected, they said they were holding government revenue, in order to and I quote: ‘expand their business’.

 “I’m sure that I don’t need to remind this honourable House that this is a wholly improper misuse of government funds.”

 He also said: “But it doesn’t end there. That’s immigration. This company was also collecting taxes on behalf of the government in a Family Island, and then again, keeping the money. This was the same company that provided $12 million in loans during the pandemic as part of the government’s COVIS-19 Loans for Small Businesses Scheme, and the company cannot or will not provide a single record of any of the loans.”

 Investigations into the matter are continuing, Mr Davis also said, adding that after several discussions with the company, he can now report that they have agreed to forward the revenue collected to the government.

 “I’m advised that some money has been received,” he also said.

Comments

SP says...

Don't blame Dr. Minnis, he was under strict orders by Michale Scott, Holoweskos, and the rest of the white knights that REALLY ran the country.

Posted 2 March 2023, 8:44 a.m. Suggest removal

ExposedU2C says...

They still do run the country......with Brent Symonette as their leader.

Posted 2 March 2023, 9:34 a.m. Suggest removal

hrysippus says...

What is the reason to hide the names of these people that he is suggesting engaged in nefarious behavior? He cannot be sued for slander if the allegations prove to be unfounded as he is covered by parliamentary privilege.

Posted 2 March 2023, 9:05 a.m. Suggest removal

Dawes says...

Until they name who and press charges, i won't bother getting outraged. Trying to drum up outrage when you are not going to do anything is pointless

Posted 2 March 2023, 9:16 a.m. Suggest removal

moncurcool says...

Exactly.

It is just a smoke screen

Posted 2 March 2023, 9:18 a.m. Suggest removal

Flyingfish says...

The corrupt class ever how corrupt still defending each others backs whether PLP or FNM. This is why FOIA is needed but for some reason after Christie promised it we still seem to be stalled in its full implementation.

Posted 2 March 2023, 9:28 a.m. Suggest removal

Sickened says...

Was this NGO mandated to feed people in the neighboring islands as well or just Marsh Harbour? If the neighboring islands as well then certainly a barge and fuel truck are reasonable.

Posted 2 March 2023, 9:34 a.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

Doesnt make operational sense. The cost to operate fuel and maintain a barge can only he assumed by a for profit business. No donor is going to give money for that

Posted 2 March 2023, 6:44 p.m. Suggest removal

ExposedU2C says...

Who is this mysterious Mr. Smith?

Posted 2 March 2023, 9:35 a.m. Suggest removal

Hoda says...

The other media houses, put forth a name - for the NGO and suspected party. Also, they claim that the PM speech circulated to the media had the name it in, then another copy was sent out with the names and allegation removed. Who knows!

Posted 2 March 2023, 10:58 a.m. Suggest removal

M0J0 says...

Lol this issue shouldn't be a shock, it was always puzzling why those whom ran the project was chosen. Guess it was pay back scheme

Posted 2 March 2023, 9:40 a.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

It would take the trait of a 'Tasmanian devil' to go on “a spending spree” to purchase two high end trucks and boats with 'public funds' meant to provide food assistance' to feed 'hungry Abacoians' --- And during a pandemic, has qualify them be 'exposed' to face public humiliation, scorn and shaming. --- Yes?

Posted 2 March 2023, 11:01 a.m. Suggest removal

stillwaters says...

Every time people get vex with this government and the venting gets bad... it's lack of progress on shanty towns most recently..... they dig up stuff about the FNM.

Posted 2 March 2023, 2:46 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

The confirmed by premiership of someone recently walked in off the street to return to the government the lump sum in brown paper bag with $100,000 in cash. --- Plus two high-end trucks, a speedboat, and a barge.--- All said to have been bought on the 'Free Food Program money. --- Belly hungry popoulaces' are quickly arrested, tried, sentenced and committed to Fox Hill Prison for shoplifting but a can of corned beef, a box of quaker oats grits and a box of buttered biscuits ----  Yet, there was no police involved even though its confirmed that some $6.4 million** in public money was collected by the company.  And the premiership's delegation just returned from Haiti that they say is run by gangs. --- Yes?

Posted 2 March 2023, 4:28 p.m. Suggest removal

SP says...

The law is only for poor black Bahamians. Haitians, politicians, and their leeches are exempt from the law.

Posted 2 March 2023, 4:43 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

@Comrade SP, shouldn't dismiss the new police collected data that points to 'shoplifting by the middle class' is on the increase. --- Yes?

Posted 2 March 2023, 5:07 p.m. Suggest removal

SP says...

The PLP and FNM corrupt politicians and their elite leeches have been relentlessly robbing the people's Treasury in broad daylight without fear of prosecution and protecting each other for 50+ years!

This is the same class of corrupt individuals and grafts that made Haiti a failed state today.

Posted 2 March 2023, 4:40 p.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

If the man returned 100k and the vehicles, there was clearly ZERO justification for the NGO to utilize them in any food distribution plan and most likely evidence of use or intended use in for profit initiatives

Posted 2 March 2023, 6:47 p.m. Suggest removal

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